Amherst to receive help from Turnpike Mitigation Program

From left to right, Allen Biehl, deputy director for the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 3, Neil Lynch, Amherst Township trustee, Amherst Mayor David Taylor and Aaron Appell, project manager for Bramhall Engineering and Surveying Co. came together June 3 for the announcement of ODOT's Turnpike Mitigation Program. Amherst and Amherst Township were awarded $270,000 for the installation of storm water facilities in the city and township.

AMHERST — The city of Amherst and the Ohio Department of Transportation have announced plans to install a pair of basins to alleviate water drainage from the city.
The project stems from a $4 million initiative announced June 3 by ODOT that will improve roads near the Ohio Turnpike.
Six area projects totalling $785,000 have been planned for Lorain and Erie counties as part of the state’s Turnpike Mitigation Program.
Amherst received $270,000 in funding through the Turnpike Mitigation Program, which will cover construction of the first basin, proposed to sit north of the turnpike and west of Leavitt Road.
The city provided preliminary engineering and will contribute local matching money, Allen Biehl, ODOT’s District 3 deputy director, said.
“We are in position now where we can move forward with the development of this project,” he said.
The second site, proposed for the area just east of Battenhouse Ditch north of the turnpike, will require more research regarding environmental issues. Since funding for the second basin was not approved, Biehl said ODOT will encourage the city to re-apply for its funding at a later date.
Details regarding the project remain in the works. According to Biehl, ODOT will meet with the city to finalize design plans.
“We’re helping a lot of communities along the northern corridor of Ohio,” he said.
Other local projects include: Guardrail improvements costing $57,000 at the Abbe Road underpass; pavement repairs for $290,000 along state Route 57; guardrail replacement for $52,000 along Wikel Road in Erie County; guardrail replacement and water drainage for $46,000 near the Chapin Road overpass in Erie County; and $70,000 in pavement repairs and vegetation management along roadway approaches to the Frailey Road overpass in Erie County.
Biehl said the city of Amherst submitted an application for funding for on-site water detention basins near the turnpike about five months ago.
The $330,000 project is still in the planning process and is set to be constructed in two phases.
The transportation department anticipates construction to begin in 2015, Biehl said.